The army promotes its role and responsibility in protecting the marine and island environment.

The impacts of climate change and economic development activities are at risk of negatively affecting the marine environment in many areas of our country... As the core force, over the years, officers and soldiers of the Army have always upheld their responsibility and made efforts to firmly protect sovereignty, maintain security and safety, and actively protect the environment in the seas and islands of the Fatherland.

Stick to the sea to protect the marine environment

At the end of May 2025, after traveling over 600 nautical miles, we and an interdisciplinary inspection team including leaders of the Vietnam Coast Guard, Navy, Fisheries Surveillance and leaders of the People's Committees of several coastal localities came to inspect the on-duty work to carry out the task of protecting the sustainable marine ecological environment and combating illegal fishing in the southwestern border waters.

In the field, Major Hoang Van Bien, Captain of CSB 4031 Ship, Squadron 301, CSB Region 3, said: “Up to now, the officers and soldiers of CSB 4031 Ship have continuously stayed in the southwestern border waters for two months. Although they have been away from the mainland for a long time, the weather conditions at sea often have storms, whirlwinds with big waves and strong winds, but with the spirit of wholeheartedly serving the mission of protecting sovereignty , security, safety at sea and combating illegal fishing, preventing and chasing away foreign fishing vessels violating Vietnam's waters, protecting aquatic resources, the officers and soldiers of CSB 4031 Ship have strived day and night to overcome all difficulties, determined to complete the mission well...”.

Officers and soldiers of Coast Guard Region 1 coordinated to clean the beach on Co To Island ( Quang Ninh ).

At the Navy, Colonel Vu Anh Tuan, Chief of Political Affairs of the Navy, said: Over the years, the Navy has always paid attention to linking the management and protection of marine and island resources and environment with key political tasks. Accordingly, the agencies and units of the Navy thoroughly grasp the guidelines and policies of the Party, State, and Army on protecting marine and island resources and environment. Every year, the Navy directs agencies and units to organize many activities in response to World Environment Day, Vietnam Sea and Island Week, World Oceans Day, etc. Effectively carry out the activities of "Volunteer Saturday", "Green Sunday", launch the construction of "green-clean-beautiful" landscapes and environments for the units; coordinate with agencies and organizations in the stationed areas to organize the program "Join hands to clean the sea", launch the collection of waste, attract the participation of the masses, raise awareness of environmental protection; actively participate in activities to respond to climate change.

“Along with that, the Navy strictly maintains its forces, means, organizes patrols and inspections in the bordering sea areas; grasps the situation, promptly advises, proposes and effectively handles situations at sea. Ships on duty against illegal fishing of units in the Navy always play a core role in the fight to protect the marine environment, prevent and combat natural disasters, and conduct search and rescue at sea and on islands. With specific actions and deeds, Navy officers and soldiers are determined to work with units and localities to protect marine resources, overcome the consequences of natural disasters, improve the quality of the marine environment, and contribute to preserving the sea and islands of the Fatherland,” Colonel Vu Anh Tuan shared.

Colonel Phan Duy Cuong, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Region 4, who is directly in charge of commanding the forces on duty in the southwestern adjacent waters, said: Implementing the Government's determination to remove the "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports imposed by the European Commission (EC), for nearly 4 years, in the southwestern adjacent waters, the Army's forces have always ensured the number of troops and means of duty 24/7. Despite the complicated and unusual weather at sea, officers and soldiers of the units have always firmly followed the field. The maritime law enforcement forces of the Ministry of National Defense have organized patrols, inspections and controls in the bordering and overlapping sea areas between Vietnam-Thailand and Vietnam-Malaysia. Thanks to the timely prevention and warning signals from the Navy, Coast Guard, Fisheries Surveillance and militia ships on duty at sea, the number of fishing boats at risk of violating the Southwest sea route has decreased significantly, and the number of foreign ships violating Vietnam's waters has also decreased significantly. The above results contribute to protecting the environment and marine ecosystem, maintaining a peaceful environment and the position and prestige of the country and Vietnamese people in the international arena.

Through data compiled from agencies and units, we know that from the beginning of 2025 to now, the functional forces of the Army have detected, propagated, and reminded nearly 28,300 ships that lost their signals to monitor fishing vessels at sea; requested nearly 7,200 ships operating near the border with other countries not to violate foreign waters; propagated and chased away more than 3,500 foreign ships violating Vietnamese waters. Detected, fought, and handled 318 cases of violations of the marine environment, issued administrative fines totaling more than 60 billion VND.

Affirming the core role

According to Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue (General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army), in recent years, participating in overcoming marine environmental pollution and incidents at sea is one of the important tasks of Army units, especially units stationed in coastal areas, islands, and DK1 platforms. The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have identified specific goals and tasks, assigned relevant units to protect resources, the environment, respond to climate change, and overcome incidents in the marine and island environment of Vietnam; strengthen coordination with ministries and branches, and proactively respond to all situations.

At the same time, during their studies and work, officers and soldiers of agencies and units throughout the army have actively researched many initiatives to protect the marine environment, such as: Soft dykes made of geotechnical tubes of the Military Science and Technology Institute (General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army); manufacturing KK-64 air regeneration panels for Kilo 636 submarines of the Navy; tropicalization technology for weapons and technical equipment... Coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to organize waste collection, clean the coast, plant trees and forests; organize soldiers to grow vegetables on DK1 platform; green islands and island points; consolidate the green, clean and beautiful landscape of the unit; do not litter directly into the sea; launch the Movement "Say no to plastic bags and disposable plastic products"... Along with that, every year, officers and soldiers throughout the army have collected and treated tens of thousands of tons of waste in marine environmental protection campaigns; clean thousands of kilometers of coastline...

Affirming the role of the Army in the task of participating in environmental protection and overcoming incidents at sea, at the Seminar "Mobilizing resources, creating a position to reach out to the sea" organized by the People's Army Newspaper, Associate Professor, Doctor, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Chu Hoi, Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Association, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, affirmed: The Army is the core force in responding to natural disasters, environmental disasters, rescue and relief. Through specific actions, officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces have contributed significantly to preserving the marine and island environment of Vietnam, reducing the risk of pollution.

With a coastline of more than 3,260km and more than 3,000 large and small islands, our country's sea is considered rich in natural resources, with an important economic and geopolitical position in the region and the world. Marine and island environmental resources are the foundation and important resources for national development. "We believe that, with their core role, the Army units will continue to preside over and coordinate well with domestic and foreign agencies and social organizations in managing, protecting, preventing and handling situations and incidents affecting the marine environment. Contributing to effectively, sustainably promoting and protecting marine resources and environment, conserving biodiversity, responding to climate change that negatively impacts the sea and islands of the Fatherland...", Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi said.

Article and photos: MAI CHU ANH

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/quan-doi-phat-huy-tot-vai-tro-trach-nhiem-trong-bao-ve-moi-truong-bien-dao-831749